Chiefs player ratings vs Blues | Super Rugby Pacific

The Chiefs have bucked their recent trend of suffering at the hands of the Blues, holding tight for a 20-13 win over their ‘big brothers’ to stay unbeaten for the season.

Despite ill-discipline causing plenty of problems for the home side at Waikato Stadium, the Chiefs were able to remain calm under pressure in the dying moments of the fixture, withstanding wave after wave of attack from the Aucklanders.

How did the Chiefs rate in the victory?

1. Ollie Norris – 6/10
Stripped Sam Darry of the ball with his first action of the game, creating the counter-attacking opportunity for the opening try of the game after just 30 seconds. Went well against Nepo Laulala at the set-piece and was industrious off the ball. Off in 55th minute.

2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7
Needed to do better from an early kick-off, letting Hoskins Sotutu get over the ball and grab a turnover. Made a great break from the back of a splintering maul to give the Chiefs prime attacking ball inside the Blues 22. Had a few yips at lineout time in what were admittedly challenging conditions. Damaging with every carry. Off in 52nd minute.

3. John Ryan – 3
The Irishman struggled at the set piece and was penalised three times at the scrum, while his work in the open field was non-existent. A disappointing showing after a solid start to the season. Off in 55th minute.

4. Brodie Retallick – 6
A key leader on the park, rallying the forwards in the final moments of the match when the win was on the line. Superb in the mauls and disruptive at the breakdown. Knocked the ball on from the second-half kick-off, which wasn’t an ideal start to the spell. Like his teammates, had a few discipline issues.

5. Tupou Vaa’i – 6
Wasn’t able to get his carry game going but put up some big numbers on defence. A brilliant effort in the in-goal prevented Beauden Barrett from grabbing what should have been a certain try. Off in 52nd minute.

6. Samipeni Finau – 8
Carried with vim and vigour and was top-equal on the tackle charts. Reprimanded for one dopey hit on Beauden Barrett off the ball but has more than justified his ongoing selection in the run-on XV.

7. Sam Cane – 6
Made a couple of excellent tackles in the first spell and knew to send the ball wide when it came his way on the counter-attack. Off in 62nd minute.

8. Luke Jacobson – 5
The most penalised player in the open field – something which is becoming a little bit of a worrying trend for the former All Black. Equalled Finau defensively and also made a couple of nice hit-ups with the ball.

9. Brad Weber – 7
A darting run from a scrum in the 25th minute was his highlight on attack while bringing Rieko Ioane to ground after the Blues centre made a break in midfield showed excellent commitment on defence. Dealt well with scrappy ball. Off in 60th minute.

10. Damian McKenzie – 8
His brilliant kicking from the tee was the difference-maker, nailing all five of his attempts on the posts, including two conversions from the sidelines and one penalty from over halfway. Looked a little tentative upon his return to the No 10 jersey after a two-week absence from the role but was superb at tidying up from messy play. Dabbed the ball into the Blues 22 for Narawa to scoop up and score a try. A terrible goal-line dropout gave the Blues a five-metre scrum, which eventually turned into a three-pointer.

11. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 6
Made some nice metres will the ball in hand but the opportunities all but dried up in the second half. Used his boot to good effect and kept busy on defence.

12. Rameka Poihipi – 6
Tucked his head down and barrelled into contact but wasn’t able to find any seams in the Blues defence. Defended stoutly and put in one troubling kick for the opposition clean-up squad.

13. Daniel Rona – 4
Barely sighted, with the ball never making it into his hands on attack. Made a few tackles – though missed Clarke en route to his try – but otherwise wasn’t able to get involved. Off in 68th minute.

14. Emoni Narawa – 8
Started with a bang, grabbing the first try of the game with an excellent finish in the corner. Was later penalised at the breakdown, with the Blues profiting from the ensuing set-pieces. Executed to perfection again for the Chiefs’ second score of the evening. Showed off his pace to blast through an out-of-shape defensive line and then skinned Finlay Christie, but was eventually chopped down by Hoskins Sotutu. Off in 72nd minute.

15. Shaun Stevenson – 6
Caught out on defence for the Blues’ first try but did well to usher Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens into touch early doors and then managed to hold Dalton Papali’i up over the line. Didn’t get many opportunities with the ball, but showed nice hands for Narawa’s second try.

Reserves:

16. Tyrone Thompson – 5
On in 52nd minute. Struggled with his lineout delivery but defended stoutly.

17. Aidan Ross – 6
On in 55th minute. Penalised for getting in the way of the halfback at the breakdown but otherwise helped reinforce the scrum and put up nine hits on defence.

18. George Dyer – 6
On in 55th minute. Shored up the tighthead side of the scrum.

19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 7
On in 52nd minute. Useful at lineout time, busy on defence and threw himself into breakdowns. A nice cameo.

20. Pita Gus Sowakula – 5
On in 62nd minute. Carted the ball up and generally looked to get involved.

21. Cortez Ratima – 7
On in 60th minute. Always adds energy and power off the pine. Put in a couple of useful kicks and did well mopping up a kick at the back. Weber is a great starter and Ratima has proven himself an excellent finsher.

22. Bryn Gatland – N/A
On in 68th minute.

23. Liam Coombes-Fabling – N/A
On in 72nd minute.